"If we were in an accident, I didn’t even feel it," Frank mumbled to himself.

He released his seatbelt, opened the door and climbed out. He made his way carefully to the front of the van, "Joe? What’s going on?"

Joe and girl turned to face him. The girl asked, "Is that your brother who was in the accident?"

"Frank, are you all right?" Joe asked coming toward him.

"Yeah, I’m fine." Frank looked from the girl to Joe to the girl and back to Joe. "Please tell me you didn’t get into an accident."

"No," Joe said. "But I spotted this car with damage, this red car with passenger side damage, and followed it."

Frank turned his gaze to the girl. "Were you there?"

"I’m sorry."

"Tabitha, are you all right?" a voice called out.

Frank and Joe turned to see a man in a suit coming toward them.

"It’s okay, Dad," Tabitha said. She looked at Frank and Joe. "Why don’t you come inside out of the cold and we can talk."

Frank nodded his head when Joe looked at him and the followed Tabitha and her father inside. They went into an office and sat down.

"Tabitha, will you tell me what’s going on?"

"Frank, Joe, this is my father, Richard Smallson. Dad, this is Frank and Joe Hardy."

"It’s a pleasure, but I still don’t understand."

"Dad," Tabitha began. "I think I caused and accident the other day."

"What do you mean?" Richard asked staring at his daughter.

Frank saw Tabitha looking at her hands. "I don’t think it was really her fault," he said. "We both were on the interstate just outside the university coming back."

"Do you remember what happened?" Joe asked quickly.

"I’m not sure," Frank said, puzzled, unsure of why he said what he did.

"Don’t you remember?" Tabitha asked.

Frank shook his head slightly. "One of my injuries was a concussion causing some short-term memory loss. The last thing I can recollect is heading to the university."

"Tabitha, why don’t you tell us what happened," Joe said.

"Okay," Tabitha began. "I was visiting a friend who lives on the other side of the university and when the weather started getting bad, I started for home." She took a breath. "I went past the university and was heading home. It was snowing hard and I was rushing to get home before it got any worse." She looked at Frank. There was a car in front of me going slower than I was. I pulled to the left to pass it and pressed the gas pedal down to do it quickly. I noticed lights coming toward me and moved back into my lane."

Frank closed his eyes picturing everything she had said happened.

"I didn’t look to see if the car was there when I switched lanes again," Tabitha continued. "When I did look in my rearview mirror, the car wasn’t there. I assumed the driver had just backed off. I didn’t think the car had gone off the road. I guess I did hit it. I really am sorry, Frank."

Frank opened his eyes and looked at her. He realized she was sorry. "I know you are."

"How seriously were you injured?" Richard asked. "I see the collar on your neck."

"I have whiplash and suffered some hypothermia from being out in the cold for a long period of time," Frank said. "And a few stitches to close a gash on my forehead. It’s nothing too serious."

"I really feel bad about this," Richard said.

"The sheriff’s department was looking into the incident," Joe said.

"Was there a specific person in charge of the investigation?" Richard asked.

"It was Sheriff Crandall," Joe replied.

"We’ll give him a call," Richard said. "And whatever the cost is to repair the damage to the car, we will take care of it."

"You don’t have to," Frank said.

"I insist," Richard said, the glancing at Tabitha. "Actually, Tabitha insists since she will be the one paying for it, won’t you."

"I agree with Dad," Tabitha said. "I will take care of this." She looked at Frank again. "I am sorry."

Frank smiled. "I know. And don’t fret that much about it. Accidents happen."

"Thanks," Tabitha said.

"We should get going," Joe said.

"When you get the estimate for the repairs, send it our way and we’ll make sure its taken care of," Richard said pulling out a card and handing it to Frank.

"All right," Frank said getting to his feet. "Thank you."

"Thanks for being so understanding," Tabitha said.

"You’re welcome."

Frank and Joe left the building and climbed in the van with Joe behind the wheel. The rode in silence for a few minutes before Joe spoke. "Tabitha’s dad seemed really understanding."

"He sure did," Frank said leaning back in the seat.

"But at least we know what happened now."

"We sure do," Frank mumbled closing his eyes.